SP Mohammad Jahangir Alam arrested in a treason case; allegations of political links and leaking sensitive police information raise questions over the credibility of evidence, investigative impartiality and the potential impact on the police force’s institutional stability.
Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Superintendent of Police (SP) of the Chattogram Range Reserve Force (RRF), has been arrested in a treason case over allegations of maintaining contact with Awami League leaders regarding former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s planned return to Bangladesh and sharing sensitive internal police information.
He was arrested on Saturday night (November 14). On Sunday (November 15), Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Aminur Rashid confirmed the arrest to the media.
However, serious questions naturally arise regarding the actual basis of such grave allegations against a senior police official, the admissibility of the evidence and the impartiality of the investigation. Allegations of communication or suspicion alone cannot establish criminal liability. The truth must be determined through a proper investigation and due judicial process.
According to police sources, at around 10:30 pm on Saturday, with approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, RRF Assistant Superintendent of Police Abul Kashem Chowdhury filed a treason case against Jahangir Alam at Panchlaish Police Station.
Immediately after the case was filed, members of the Special Response Unit (SRU), Counter Terrorism Unit and Panchlaish Police Station arrested him from the CMP Officers’ Mess.
Police allege that Jahangir Alam maintained regular contact with leaders of the banned Awami League. He was also allegedly in communication with individuals involved in plans concerning Sheikh Hasina’s return to Bangladesh. Additionally, he has been accused of supplying internal and sensitive police information to Awami League leaders.
Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mohammad Abdul Quddus Chowdhury said that after finding preliminary evidence supporting the allegations, a case was filed with the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Jahangir Alam is currently in the custody of Panchlaish Police Station.
Earlier, on November 10, following initial information about the allegations, the DIG summoned Jahangir Alam to his office for questioning. During the interrogation, his personal and official mobile phones were seized and sent to the Special Branch at Police Headquarters in Dhaka for forensic examination.
The following day, Wednesday (November 11), rumours circulated that he had been detained. The DIG denied the reports, stating that two mobile phones had been seized in connection with the allegations and that the matter was under investigation.
Meanwhile, allegations involving political affiliations, treason or the leaking of confidential information against officers of a vital state institution such as the police demand the highest standards of transparency and impartiality.
If allegations are built merely on suspicion, assumptions or fabricated information without credible evidence, they could destroy the personal and professional lives of the officers concerned while also damaging the morale and institutional stability of the entire police force.
Any officer found involved in criminal activities must face action in accordance with the law. However, if a culture of harassment, politically motivated cases or unsubstantiated allegations takes hold, it could pose a serious threat to the law enforcement institution itself.
Therefore, a transparent, impartial and credible investigation into every allegation against Jahangir Alam is essential.
Jahangir Alam belongs to the 28th Bangladesh Civil Service (Police) batch. He joined the police force on December 1, 2010.
It is worth noting that former Officer-in-Charge of Dhaka Cantonment Police Station, Rakibul Hasan, was also previously charged with treason. Following his arrest in that case, he is currently in prison.
